Singapore-headquartered i-Fast Group’s assets under administration (AUA) in China grew 140.5% to RMB 466m ($68.3m) in June from the previous year, according to the firm’s first half financial results.

Singapore-headquartered i-Fast Group’s assets under administration (AUA) in China grew 140.5% to RMB 466m ($68.3m) in June from the previous year, according to the firm’s first half financial results.
The Korean asset manager, which delisted six ETFs in Hong Kong last year, now plans a move into thematic and smart beta products for the Hong Kong market.
The high minimum amount to open a private bank account is creating opportunities for small boutique wealth managers, according to Simon Parfitt, director at Hong Kong-based Pyrmont Wealth Management.
The firm said it has decided to consolidate Singapore operational and client activities in Hong Kong.
BMO Global will launch an actively-managed fund that invests in passive products, while the regulator approved for launch other funds from Jupiter and Schroders.
The Hong Kong-based firm expects to launch two smart beta ETFs in August, with one investing in the Asean markets and the other in technology-enabled companies.
In 2017, total assets under management by the private banking and private wealth management business in Hong Kong hit $1trn (HK$7.8trn), while asset management was up 23%, according to the Securities and Futures Commission (SFC).
Studies have pointed out institutions’ increased ETF usage, but this may not be the case for private banks in Asia, according to David Quah, Hong Kong-based co-managing director for Value Partners’ quantitative investment solutions team.
Targeting institutional, high net worth and corporate investors, CSOP Asset Management has listed the Hong Kong Dollar Money Market ETF on the Hong Kong bourse.
Rising interest rates and global trade tensions are more likely to hit multinationals in Asia than the region’s home-grown leaders, who have become strong rivals, argues David Gaud, chief investment officer for Asia at Pictet Wealth Management.
Part of the Mark Allen Group.